Motion of Reconciliation facts for kids

The Motion of Reconciliation was an important statement made in the Parliament of Australia on 26 August 1999. It was a special proposal, or "motion," that aimed to bring people together.

This motion was created by Prime Minister John Howard. He worked with Aboriginal Senator Aden Ridgeway. The motion said that the Parliament was committed to "reconciliation." This means working to heal past hurts and build a better future between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

The motion also recognized that the way Indigenous Australians were treated in the past was a very sad part of Australian history. It expressed "regret" for the unfair things that happened to Indigenous Australians. However, it did not include a direct "apology."

Understanding the Background

Before the Motion of Reconciliation, there was a lot of discussion about how to improve relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

The Council for Reconciliation

In 1991, the Labor government, led by Prime Minister Bob Hawke, created the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation (CAR). This group's job was to find ways for Indigenous Australians and other Australians to come together. They wanted to create a plan for reconciliation across the country.

The Bringing Them Home Report

Later, in 1997, another important report was released. It was called Bringing Them Home. This report looked into past government policies. These policies had caused many Indigenous children to be taken away from their families. These children are now known as the "Stolen Generations."

The report suggested that the Australian Government should offer an official apology for these actions. It said that separating children from their parents caused great pain and lasting harm.

Debate Over an Apology

Many people, including Senator Aden Ridgeway, felt that the government should apologize. Senator Ridgeway was the only Aboriginal person in the federal Parliament at that time. He believed an apology was needed to help heal the past.

However, Prime Minister John Howard had a different view. He felt that current generations should not apologize for actions taken by people in the past. He believed that an apology would mean today's Australians were responsible for historical wrongs. He also thought that past actions were judged by different rules at the time. Because of this, the word "sorry" was not included in the motion.

The Reconciliation Motion

On 26 August 1999, Prime Minister John Howard presented the Motion of Reconciliation to Parliament.

Key Points of the Motion

The motion included several important points:

• It strongly supported reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. It called this a key national goal.
• It recognized Australia's achievements and encouraged everyone to work together. It aimed to build a fair future for all.
• It focused on practical steps to help Indigenous Australians. This included addressing serious economic and social disadvantages.
• It stressed the importance of understanding Australia's shared history. It also acknowledged the wrongs and unfairness of the past.
• It stated that the mistreatment of many Indigenous Australians was a very sad part of Australia's history.
• It expressed deep regret for the injustices Indigenous Australians suffered in the past. It also acknowledged the hurt and trauma they still feel.
• It expressed belief that Australians could move forward together for everyone's benefit.

Proposed Amendment

After the motion was presented, the Labor Party suggested a change. Senator John Faulkner proposed an amendment that would have included a full apology. This amendment would have said Parliament "unreservedly apologises" to Indigenous Australians. It also called for ways to provide justice and help to the Stolen Generations without needing court cases. However, this amendment was not approved.

How People Reacted

The Motion of Reconciliation caused a lot of discussion and debate in Australia. Many people focused on the fact that the word "sorry" was not included.

Different Views on the Motion

• The opposition Labor Party, led by Kim Beazley, felt that Parliament needed to say "sorry." They pointed out that some Indigenous children were still being removed from their families during the lifetimes of many Australians alive at the time.
• Many Indigenous leaders were not happy with the motion's wording. They felt it did not go far enough.
• Senator Aden Ridgeway, who helped draft the motion, defended it. He saw the vote as a historic moment. He believed it opened a new chapter in the relationship between the government and Aboriginal leaders.
• Evelyn Scott, who was the chair of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, thought the motion was very important. She believed it "in effect amounts to an apology."
• However, Mick Dodson, who helped write the Bringing Them Home report, disagreed. He felt the motion did not truly honor the memories of those affected by past policies. His brother, Pat Dodson, and other Aboriginal leaders also strongly criticized the motion.

2008: A National Apology

Years later, on 13 February 2008, the government led by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd gave a "National Apology." This time, a full apology was made to Australia's Indigenous peoples. This motion passed through Parliament with support from both the Labor Party and the Liberal-National Party Opposition.